Aam ke Vividh Prakar: Types of Mangoes Found in India!

I was quietly enjoying a mango on a sunny afternoon and it quickly transported me to my childhood days. As a child, I used to hide and have more than one Aam that I was allowed to eat by my mom. This ultimatum almost came to every Indian kid as moms said that having more aam would cause heat in the body. But dil toh baccha hai ji, no mango lover could ever stop themselves at having just one aam. This memory transported me to another nostalgia associated with the fruit. As it's the season of mangoes, the king of fruits would come in chronological order at my house. Starting with Hapus (Alphonso) and ending with Dasheri (in my house particularly), this list saw a variety of other mangoes. Reminiscing this memory prompted us to list down the types of mangoes available in India and here’s a curation of that. 

1. Alphonso - The King of Mangoes

Alphonso or Hapus as we call it in Hindi is considered as most common and premium mangoes in India. This aam which is also known as the ‘King of Mangoes’ is grown in the Konkan region of Maharashtra and is in demand locally as well as internationally. 

2. Kesar - The Better Half of Alphonso

This mango is considered to be one of the sweetest and the other half of Alphonso known as the ‘Queen of Mangoes.’ This variety is grown in Saurashtra region of Gujarat. They are extensively used in making mango jellies, jams and pulps because of their natural sweetness. 

3. Langra - The Green-Skinned Ripe Aam

This Aam is famous for its green skin even when it is completely ripped. It has a particular smell and its pulp is squishy, gummy and fibrous. Famous as Banarasi Langra this mango even has a GI Tag to its name for being distinctive to the place of Banaras. 

4. Dasheri - The Elengoted One

Dasheri mango is another well-known variety that is grown throughout Uttar Pradesh. It has a distinctive long shape and medium in sized width. The skin is yellow, with green tinges. The flesh is juicy, sweet, and astringent. Dasheri mangoes are renowned for their savoury scent and delicious taste and usually stay until July.

5. Totapuri - The Parrot-Peak

As its name suggests, totapuri mangos have a characteristic beak-like look. It is primarily grown in southern India, especially in the states of Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka. Because of their unique tart flavour, totapuri mangoes are widely used to make chutneys, pickles, and other mango drinks.

6. Badami - The Alphonso of Karnataka

Badami is also known as the 'Alphonso of Karnataka' due to its very close resemblance to Hapus of Maharashtra. Because of its more southern production, it ripens a little earlier than the much sought-after Alphonso mango, but it is still appealing when it is young. The fruit has thin, pale yellow skin that makes it easy to see the tenderness of the flesh. The flesh is nearly completely fiberless and has an appealing yellow or orange colour.

7. Neelam - The Golden Boy

Neelam mango can be recognized by its medium size and golden shade. With its vibrant golden colour, delectable sweetness, and fragrant aroma, the Neelam mango is a true gem of the mango family. It is mostly grown in Tamil Nadu but found in almost every state that grows mangoes.

8. Chaunsa - The Melting Mango 

If you ask Bihar their favourite variety of mango, they will probably reply with ‘Chaunsa’ or ‘Chausa.’ This variety is mostly grown in the states of Bihar and Uttar Pradesh. It has a sweet smell, rich taste, and melt-in-your-mouth texture.

9. Pairi - The Early Riser

Pairi is one of the varieties of mangoes to hit the market early in the season. Known to be fibrous and juicy, it is one of the most popular choices for the popular aam ras in the western states of India. These mangoes contain high amounts of potassium and magnesium.

10. Sindoori - The Red-Coloured Mango

The bright red-orange colour of the skin of Sindoori mangos is what gives them their name. It resembles the customary vermilion, or arenoor, that Indian brides wear. This variety of mango is grown throughout southern India, particularly in Tamil Nadu and Karnataka. These mangoes are renowned for their tart and delectable taste.

11. Himayat - Just like a Slik 

The Himayat mango is known for its silky texture, distinctive taste and larger size. It is mostly grown in Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu is one of the premium mangoes in the south. It is also known as 'Imam-Pasand' and is famously known as the King of Mangoes in Trichy (Tiruchirappalli District in Tamil Nadu).

12. Fazli - The Late Comer 

The Fazli mango is a mango primarily grown in the state of West Bengal. It is a late-maturing fruit, available after other varieties. Fazlis are commonly used in jams and pickles and to make various other cuisines. Apart from West Bengal, it is widely grown in Bangladesh.

13. Amarpali - The Hybrid Mango 

Amrapali mangoes are bright, attractive, and appealing, with various yellow and red hues. The mango got its name from a famous Indian courtesan who was known for her beauty and elegance. This is a hybrid variety of 'Dasheri' and 'Neelam.' 

14. Malgova - The Round One 

Mulgoba or Malgova mango is one of the popular varieties that originates in Tamil Nadu. It is famous for its dimensions and deliciously sweet taste. Mulgoba mangoes are distinguished by their scent and are prized because of their exceptional taste. This fruit is large in size and roundish oblique in shape.

15. Suvarnarekha - The Golden Line  

One of the most popular mango kinds growing in the Indian state of Kerala is Suvarnarekha (the golden line). Its skin is a vivid golden yellow, and its pulp is delicious and aromatic. They are usually consumed fresh or pureed into drinks and sweets.

16. Banganpalli - The Oval-Shaped

A popular kind of mango grown all over Andhra Pradesh is the Banganapalli mango, also known as the 'Benishan' mango. It is well-known for its fibrous, delicious pulp, yellow skin, and oval shape. These Mangoes are highly valued for their exceptional quality and flavour, which makes them a popular export to foreign nations.

17. Himsagar - The Zero Fibre Aam

Himsagar mango is one of the well-known varieties grown in the State of West Bengal. It is renowned for its thin skin, silky feel, sweet aromatised pulp and has no fibre. Himsagar mangoes are usually eaten fresh and ripe or used to make a variety of milkshakes and desserts made from mango. 

18. Lakshmanbhog - The Tangy-Sweet Mango

It is a popular mango variety that is primarily grown in the state of West Bengal, India. It is a late-season mango that ripens towards the end of the mango season, typically in August-September. The Lakshmanbhog mango is a medium-sized mango with thin, yellow skin with occasional green or orange-red blushes. Its flesh is fiberless, juicy, and bright yellow in colour with a sweet, aromatic flavour and tangy and sweet taste. 

19. Raspuri - The Juicy One

Raspuri mangoes are a well-known variety that is grown throughout the Indian state of Karnataka. It is medium to small in size and an attractive yellow skin. Raspuri mangoes are famous for their delicious, sweet pulp and rich, fragrant aroma. Mostly used in making aamras.